Laurent Demanet

Laurent Demanet is a Professor of Applied Mathematics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), with a primary appointment in the Department of Mathematics and a joint appointment in Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences (EAPS). He served as Director of MIT’s Earth Resources Laboratory from 2018 to 2024, focusing on seismic imaging and wave propagation to visualize Earth's subsurface structures.

• Undergraduate: Mathematical Engineering and Theoretical Physics, Université de Louvain, Belgium
• PhD: Applied and Computational Mathematics, California Institute of Technology (Caltech), 2006 (advisor: Emmanuel Candès, William P. Carey Prize for best dissertation in mathematical sciences)
• Postdoctoral: Szegö Assistant Professorship, Stanford University (2006-2009)

His research centers on applied mathematics and scientific computing for geophysics, particularly inverse problems, wave propagation, and signal processing. He develops numerical algorithms and machine learning tools to analyze indirect, incomplete, and noisy data, enabling accurate subsurface modeling for environmental monitoring, carbon sequestration, hydrogen storage, and geothermal energy. His work also addresses seismic hazards induced by resource exploration and storage activities.

Scientific awards and honors include:

• National Science Foundation CAREER Award (2012)
• Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellowship (2011)
• Air Force Young Investigator Award (2011)
• MIT Class of 1954 Career Development Professorship (2013-2016)

As Director of MIT’s Earth Resources Laboratory and through his research group, Demanet has advanced computational methods for geophysical imaging, mentored students, and secured grants for interdisciplinary projects. His work bridges applied mathematics, computational science, and geophysics to solve pressing environmental and energy challenges.

He leads research on subsurface visualization, integrating machine learning and numerical algorithms to improve seismic imaging and quantify predictive uncertainty. His lab's applications span natural hazard assessment, resource management, and sustainable energy solutions.